Family Therapy

IS YOUR FAMILY LIVE SOMEHOW SUFFERING?

Are you concerned about your family well-being? Is there conflict or constant fighting in your family that further results in everyone isolating from each other? Are you feeling alone in your family and find yourself escaping to social media? Maybe one of your kids is having difficulties and that creates chaos within your entire family. Have you been trying to be the best parent to your child; however, no matter how much you try, your child is not listening to you? Maybe your child has been diagnosed with a mental health disorder such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety or Mood Disorder, and they simply are not responding to your parenting techniques. Perhaps things got so intense that you no longer look forward to spending time at your home. You may find yourself spending more time at work or more time with the “non-problem” child. You might be feeling guilty and ashamed about that. Burn out, exhaustion, and feeling out of source are feelings that predominate your day-to-day state.

I AM HERE TO HELP YOU HOLD YOUR FAMILY TOGETHER AT TIMES WHEN IT FALLS APART!

When things happen in life (sudden move, job loss, adoption of a new child, work and school stress, health problems), it is extremely difficult to keep those issues from trickling over and affecting the entire family. The purpose of family counseling is to support you and your family while you are going through a difficult time. I am here to:

“re-charge parents’ batteries”

give you new ideas of how to approach and talk to your child

educate you how to specifically parent kids with mental health disorders OR kids who had stressful lives due to adoption, divorce, trauma, abuse, and more.

be your sounding board

improve communication between family members

change some of the family dynamics that are not working for you

FAMILY LIFE CAN BE EXTREMELY STRESSFUL!

There are no classes out there that teach us how to “do family” when stresses of every day life arise. What do we do when your child refuses to do homework and he/she doesn’t care about consequences?What do you do when your child is self-harming and isolating? What do you do when your child (or spouse) is having angry outbursts? What do you do when you plan family “fun time” together, and it always ends up being a disaster?

Being a busy parent and employer, it is crucial that you find support systems around you that will help you along your stressful and difficult path. You want to reach out to someone who is objective and who can help you gain a perspective on whatever is going on in your family. In family therapy, I assess for various, often ineffective and rigid patterns of interactions, and I help you find new ways of relating to each other. My goal is to help you embrace and appreciate your family again.

Life is hard as it is, so you want to use parenting techniques that will not only work for your child in the moment, but that will also help your child make better choices in the future. You want to “save your energy and breath,” instead of engaging in nonproductive dialogues with your child. Finally, you want to feel confident as a parent knowing that you can handle the very behaviors that you thought your child will never engage in.

BUT WAIT, WHAT IF MY CHILD DOESN’T WANT TO COME TO COUNSELING? CAN I STILL COME IN TO SEE YOU?

Absolutely! Being a family therapist, I know that we can create change in a family system even without all family members engaged in therapy. Throughout the years of my practice, I have also noticed that, often, when one family member changes in some way, that will help the other members do the same—sometimes even without coming into counseling!

WHY DO YOU DO IN-HOME FAMILY SESSION?

Caregivers frequently will tell me that their child acts so much better in my office than at home. Therefore, I often find that meeting your child in his/her natural environment gives me more information about him/her. I also get a deeper, and quicker understanding of your family dynamics. As I make more accurate assessments about your child and his/her environment, I am also more effective. Hence, if possible, and depending on your case, our second session takes place at your home. During that time, I meet with all family members who live in your home, including your child. Feel free to contact me with any questions about how a home visit can benefit your treatment.

WHAT IF MY CHILD IS A GROWN UP AND I WOULD LIKE TO WORK THROUGH SOME ISSUES. CAN I STILL COME IN?

I often help families with adult children repair some of the old hurts that might have happened in their past. It is never too late to work on improving the very relationships that you care about the most. Maybe your daughter just had her first child and that stirred up some old conflict in your family, or perhaps your mom or dad said something to your husband that started a fight that you thought you moved away from. Whatever the problem issue is, I want to help you sort it out so that you can enjoy your family members instead of resenting them.

I AM AFRAID TO INVOLVE MY LOVED ONES IN THERAPY! I DON’T WANT TO HURT THEIR FEELINGS BY SAYING THAT THEY NEED TO GO TO COUNSELING WITH ME.

It is only normal to be afraid of hurting your family’s feelings and implying that they need to go to counseling can do that to some people. If that is the case, come and see me anyway. We will talk about ways of approaching your mom, dad, sibling, cousin, or aunt. I know few tricks that make it easier for your loved ones to hear that they also need to show up in counseling and do their part of work.

OUT OF HUNDREDS OF THERAPISTS OUT THERE, WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE ME?

You might be wondering if I am the right therapist for you. I am so glad that you are thinking that. This is your treatment and you need to make sure that you feel comfortable with and understood by your therapist. You also must have confidence that your therapist knows how to restore your family life and make it better. Feel free to call me for a 30-minute free phone consultation to see if we are a good match.

Clients who work with me have mentioned on multiple occasions that I truly listen to them, and “get them.” They said that despite English being my second language, they appreciate my simple, yet in-depth reflections of their experiences. They also report trusting my skills. They know that if we were to “get stuck” in treatment, I will consult on their behalf, and make sure that everything possible is done to improve their family relations.

Here is what one of the clients said about my service:

“Marta, it is not often that I meet someone as quick and perceptive as you, and rarer still to work with someone who can translate those insights into effective strategies and actions. When we do have problems with our grandson, I still hear your voice in my head and turn to your handouts with suggestions. Your lessons have stayed with us. I will always be grateful for your support, thankful for your presence in our lives, and in awe of your talent as a therapist.” Former family client